Chapter 31 #2
I stood up and turned just as Mom got out of her chair. Her hair was shorter now, ending around her chest in loose waves. She’d gotten wispy bangs that somehow made her look even younger. I didn’t know how that was possible, but she looked beautiful.
“Oh, sweetheart, let me see,” she said, walking over with a bright smile. I placed my hands in hers, and she examined them closely, brushing her thumbs gently over my nails. “Looks amazing, Milow. Do you like it?”
I nodded quickly, then signed, [You’re beautiful. The bangs really suit you.]
Mom grinned and carefully touched her hair. “I hope Dad’s going to like it. He was never a fan of bangs.”
[He’ll love it. He’d love you even if you were bald.]
She laughed and took my hand in hers. “You’re right. He’s so easy to please,” she joked.
Once Mom paid, we left the hair and nail salon and went into the first clothing store we saw.
I browsed through the racks absentmindedly, occasionally spotting a cute sweater, but nothing that felt worth trying on.
Mom, on the other hand, already had four items draped over her arm.
She smiled at me. “Nothing catching your attention?”
I pursed my lips and gave a small shrug. [No. But I like what you’ve picked out so far.]
“I desperately need new sweaters. I’m getting sick of my old ones,” she explained.
I studied her for a moment. [Can I have them?]
“My old sweaters?”
I nodded.
“Of course, sweetheart. But you should get some new clothes too. I really want to spoil us both today,” she said with a smile.
[Okay.] I was sure I’d find something I liked in another store.
We continued through the store when a woman who looked familiar waved at Mom. “Iris, hi! Taking your daughter shopping?”
Mom smiled at her, and as the woman approached us, I saw Hailie and Aspen step up behind her.
Great. It was the weekend, and I still had to see them.
“Hello, Darla. Oh, yes. It’s a much-needed outing,” Mom said. Her voice was kind, but only people who knew her well would notice the annoyed undertone.
“Tell me about it,” Darla replied.
Now that I looked at her more closely, with Hailie standing right beside her, it was clear she was her mother.
“Milow, gosh, you’ve grown so much, sweetie,” Darla said, smiling far too brightly at me. “How are things at school? I’ve never had you over at the house. Maybe you and the girls can have a sleepover sometime.”
I wanted to grimace. Darla clearly didn’t know that her daughter and her daughter’s best friend hated me.
She probably also didn’t know I was mute, and that spending time with them wouldn’t even work since they didn’t understand me.
I didn’t respond. I just gave a tight smile and tried not to look at Hailie and Aspen.
They were staring at me. I could feel it.
“She’s not really our friend,” Hailie said to her mother, her voice filled with disgust. “She’s friends with that mentally ill girl.”
“Hailie!” Darla scolded, turning to her daughter. “That’s not a nice thing to say.”
“But it’s true,” Aspen added. “We told you about her, didn’t we, Darla? The girl who keeps starting fights with us.”
I wanted to scream, but since I couldn’t, I just stared them down. They were talking about Scottie, and I hated the way they described her.
“Oh, don’t be dramatic, girls,” Darla said dismissively.
“Who are you talking about?” Mom asked. I was sure she already knew, but she wanted confirmation.
“Scottie Kepner,” Aspen replied, her voice still dripping with disgust as she looked at Mom. “I wouldn’t let my daughter hang out with a girl like that. She’s such a bad influence. Maybe Milow shouldn’t either.”
Was she serious? How could they speak so disrespectfully about someone they didn’t even know? Scottie was my best friend. She was kind and loyal. They were just angry because Scottie was one of the few people who always stood up to them.
I’d had enough. I turned to Mom and waited for her to look at me. [They’re nothing but rude to Scottie and me at school.]
Mom didn’t hesitate for even a second. She reached for my hand, and I slipped mine into hers as she faced Darla. “It was nice seeing you again, Darla. Enjoy your shopping.”
There was no room for Darla to respond. Mom guided me toward the changing rooms. She was angry, which was something I rarely saw, and I hated that they had caused it. When we stopped near the changing rooms, Mom turned to me with worry written all over her face. “How long has this been going on?”
I shrugged. [It never really stopped.]
She knew what that meant. She knew about first grade, about the time I got in trouble for flipping them off. That had been the only time a teacher talked to Mom and Dad about Hailie and Aspen. I’d never really told them about everything else they put us through.
[But it’s fine. Ashby and Stan are there to protect us.]
Mom wasn’t satisfied with that. “If they’re ever rude to you or Scottie again, please tell Dad and me, okay?”
I nodded.
She sighed, still upset, and reached out to gently caress my cheek. “I’m proud of you, Milow. For who you are. You have the purest heart.”
Without meaning to, I felt proud of myself, too. But maybe having such a pure heart wasn’t always a good thing. I knew I forgave too easily.
I smiled and leaned into her, giving her a small hug before looking up at her again. [Go try them on,] I signed, pointing at the clothes on her arm.
And for the rest of the afternoon, we strolled through the mall, enjoying our time with each other.